Tacoma - John Korsmo Construction Inc. of Lakewood, Wash., recently completed construction of the new Tacoma City Fire Station No. 8 at 4911 South Alaska St. The $2.1 million project included complete site preparation and construction of the new 16,253-sq.-ft., multi-level fire station. The building owner is the City of Tacoma.

Construction time was slightly less than 12 months.

The station included a mix of slab-on-grade, wood framing, open beam, precast concrete and metal roofing. It also includes a self-contained fuel station. The fire station was the third built by John Korsmo Construction in the past four years.

The station was designed by Thomas Cook Reed Reinvald Architects of Tacoma. Assisting with construction contract administration was BCRA Architects of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma.

Major subcontractors for the station include Paramount Electrical, Tacoma Plumbing and Heating, Crescent Sheet Metal and Emerald Fire Protection.

Valley Electric Announces Relocation to Everett

Mount Vernon - Valley Electric Inc. recently announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters and Seattle branch operations to a new 34,000-sq.-ft. high-tech facility, currently under construction near Merrill Creek in Everett, Wash.

Valley's decision to relocate to Everett provides the opportunities to consolidate and streamline its Mount Vernon and Bothell offices into one operations center.

Since its inception in 1982, Valley Electric has been located in Mount Vernon. Valley will keep an area office at its current location to maintain its Skagit and Whatcom County operations. Valley also maintains an area office in Wenatchee, Wash. The move to the new headquarters is scheduled for spring of 2004.

Seattle - DLR Group has been selected to design the modernization of Rose Hill Elementary School for the Eastside's Lake Washington School District.

The initial phase of the project includes a feasibility study to determine the best course of action for the project: either full demolition and replacement of, or renovations and additions to the existing school. The full project scope will range between $10 and $12 million depending on the selected option.

Rose Hill Elementary School will be the second recent project designed for the district by DLR Group. The first was Henry David Thoreau Elementary School, which opened to students this fall.

Turner Honored For Community Service

Seattle - The Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild announced today that it has chosen Seattle's Turner Construction Company as the 2003 recipient of its Distinguished Community Service Award. The guild is recognizing Turner for its significant philanthropic efforts within Seattle-area communities. Turner is the first corporation to be honored in the award's 12-year history.

The Arnold Guild will present its Distinguished Community Service Award to Turner on Saturday, December 6 at the 28th annual Hutch Holiday Gala. This year's gala, the largest single fundraiser benefiting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers.

The Arnold Guild was established in 1975 in memory of Grace Heffernan Arnold, a Seattle philanthropist. The guild's primary goal is to support Fred Hutchinson in the elimination of cancer as a cause of human suffering and death. The volunteer group plays an integral role in planning and executing the annual Hutch Holiday Gala and has raised more than $23 million to benefit cancer research at Fred Hutchinson.

Turner is the general contractor for the cancer research center's $87 million Public Health Sciences Building, which is wrapping up construction this month.

Seattle - W.G. Clark Construction Co. has begun construction on the Cremona/Dravus Apartments at Seattle Pacific University (SPU). Located on the east side of campus on the block surrounded by Cremona and Dravus Streets, Third Avenue West and Queen Anne Avenue North, the two buildings are scheduled for student occupancy in the fall of 2004. Lorig Associates is developing the project and Lorig Management Services will manage the housing.

Designed by Seattle design firm Mithun, the twin, four-story buildings feature wood frame construction, partially located over a post-tensioned concrete parking garage. The buildings feature sloped composition shingle roofs, brick base, beveled vinyl siding and hardi-panel accents. They are designed to fit in with the residential character of the neighborhood and will feature electric kitchen appliances, washer/dryers in the units, furnishings and covered parking. The units will be wired for access to the university's computer network and telephone systems.

The site is part of a larger parcel owned by SPU and is designated for residential development in the University's Major Institution Master Plan. The project will be owned by Nickerson Area Properties, a non-profit corporation.

Seattle - The Seattle branch office of consulting engineering firm BERGER/ABAM Engineers Inc. recently relocated four blocks to Seventh Avenue and Olive Street, across from Pacific Place Mall in downtown Seattle. The new 8,500-sq.-ft. accommodation in one of Seattle's classic brick skyscrapers is significantly larger than the previous space held by BERGER/ABAM on Fifth Avenue and Virginia.

The firm's new facilities, including a high-tech conference center, support BERGER/ABAM's commitment to its clients and extension of staff and services in the Seattle area.

BERGER/ABAM's headquarters are in Federal Way, Wash., with branch offices in Portland, Ore.; Seattle; and Las Vegas, Nev.

Team Building Medical, Child Care Facilities

Vancouver - Team Construction of Vancouver, Wash., recently broke ground on Hospice House a new treatment and care facility for SW Washington Medical Center.

The 15,943-sq.-ft. Hospice House will feature 20 beds and support facilities that will bridge the gap between home and traditional care for hospice patients. Funds for the project have been raised the Hospice House Journey Home campaign.

Construction started in October and project completion is expected in May 2004.

Team also recently started work on a new child care facility that will serve the needs of SW Washington Medical Center employees, the school district and the surrounding community.

The new 9,500-sq.-ft. Child Care and Early Learning Center will be located on Lieser Road in Vancouver, just north of the offices of the Vancouver School District and ESD #112.

The center will also be completed in May 2004.